asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware of the absence of uniformity between health authorities in the application of the means test to applicants for medical cards under the Health Acts; and, if so, whether he will issue instructions on the matter with a view to ensuring uniform administration in this connection.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Medical Cards.
88.
I would refer the Deputy to paragraphs 50 and 51 of the recently published White Paper on the Health Services, which refer to the lack of uniformity among health authorities in determining eligibility for general medical services, and indicate that it is proposed to introduce legislation under which the Minister for Health would make regulations specifying the classes of persons entitled to participate in the services.
Under existing legislation, the determination of eligibility for general medical services is solely a matter for the health authorities, and I have no statutory authority to issue instructions which would have the effect of ensuring uniformity of standards but as I said earlier to-day, I do intend to urge health authorities to examine critically their methods of assessment of eligibility.
89.
asked the Minister for Health (a) the number of medical cards in use in each county during 1965 and (b) the percentage of the population in each county covered by medical cards.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement, I propose, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, with your permission, to circulate it with the Official Report.
The information given is in respect of the position as at the 31st December, 1965.
Following is the statement:
NUMBER of medical cards current and percentage of population covered by medical cards in each County and County Borough.
|
County or County Borough |
Number of medical cards current on 31st December, 1965 |
Percentage of population covered by medical cards on 31st December, 1965 |
|
Carlow |
4,543 |
47.1 |
|
Cavan |
7,718 |
30.2 |
|
Clare |
7,549 |
32.0 |
|
Cork County Borough. |
8,614 |
27.2 |
|
Cork County |
26,464 |
25.4 |
|
Donegal |
11,454 |
28.0 |
|
Dublin County Borough. |
28,739 |
15.6 |
|
Dublin County |
8,187 |
12.5 |
|
Galway |
21,495 |
40.2 |
|
Kerry |
14,389 |
33.4 |
|
Kildare |
7,480 |
37.6 |
|
Kilkenny |
8,844 |
44.7 |
|
Laois |
6,647 |
36.2 |
|
Leitrim |
2,880 |
24.9 |
|
Limerick County Borough. |
5,843 |
33.6 |
|
Limerick County. |
14,025 |
38.7 |
|
Longford |
4,136 |
45.8 |
|
Louth |
8,190 |
27.4 |
|
Mayo |
14,679 |
42.4 |
|
Meath |
6,842 |
31.7 |
|
Monaghan |
8,611 |
42.5 |
|
Offaly |
5,943 |
31.2 |
|
Roscommon |
8,866 |
45.1 |
|
Sligo |
5,237 |
28.5 |
|
Tipperary (NR). |
5,752 |
29.8 |
|
Tipperary (SR). |
8,130 |
31.3 |
|
Waterford County Borough. |
3,573 |
33.9 |
|
Waterford County. |
5,581 |
38.3 |
|
Westmeath |
5,088 |
32.2 |
|
Wexford |
10,260 |
39.6 |
|
Wicklow |
5,763 |
35.0 |